World's largest gingerbread house built in Texas

BRYAN, TX (KBTX/CNN) - Texas is known for doing things big, now the Lone Star State is home to the world's largest gingerbread house.

"This house not only measures the estimate 38,000 cubic feet, but actually measures 39,201.8 feet. A new Guinness World Record," said Phillip Robertson, an adjudicator for The Guinness World Record.

Roberston says while many factors can vary the goal overall has to be specific.

"All records have to have guidelines to make sure there is a benchmark for someone in the future for someone else to attempt it," he said.

In order to qualify the gingerbread house must be edible on the outside. The gingerbread house contains 35,823,400 calories.

"My parents came out on their anniversary and rolled dough," said Michael Menchaca, executive chef.

Menchaca says he specializes in fine dining and doesn't consider himself a pastry baker by any means but that didn't stop him from giving this gingerbread house all he had.

"This past couple of weeks we've had a ton of moisture come in we had to go back to the drawing board and pull out a lot more of the liquids," he said.

Santa also made a special appearance for the big announcement. While this wasn't an easy project, the big reason behind this whole attempt was to raise funds for the Trauma Center at St. Joseph's Hospital.

"I think what impresses me most about most records is the community spirit around the record attempt; especially with a charity based and in this case it's St. Joseph's. People come together for this remarkable cause and really work hard at it," Robertson said.

It is also the first outside gingerbread house, which is why Menchaca says the project was even more of a challenge.